Forming machine



March 11, 1952 E. H. SCHANE FORMING MACHINE 6 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Nov. 29, 1945 INVENTOR. flaw/m0 /7 J /MN BY A TTOKZNEy March 11, 1952 E. H. SCHANE FORMING MACHINE 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Nov. 29, 1945 INVENTOR. EDI 164 420 b. Sam/v5 BY March 11, 1952 sc 2,588,663

FORMING MACHINE Filed Nov. 29, 1945 6 Sheets-Sheet 3 IIIIIIIHHHHML fiy. f I I 6 INVENTQR.

fan A20 H. JCHAA/E BY flTTOQA/EY 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Nov. 29, 1945 F I I I All 93 INVENTOR. E 0 wmeo ,H. SCI-{AME BY ATTORNEY March 11, 1952 E. H. SCHANE 2,538,563

FORMING MACHINE Filed Nov. 29, 1945 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 JNVENTOR. fan 14x20 H Jam/v:

BYJ.

March 11, 1952 E. H. SCHANE FORMING MACHINE 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 Filed Nov. 29, 1945 lugs/ 110k. 5 0/4/1920 JHA/VE BY 2 H7701? NE) Patented Mar. 11, l952 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE- asssLese FORMING MACHINE Edward H. Schane, Lakewood, Ohio, assignor to Fanner Manufacturing Company, Cleveland, Ohio, a corporation of Ohio Application November 29, 1945, Serial No. 631,605

Claims. (Cl. 164-43) This invention relates to methods and apparatus for the shaping of wire into predetermined formation, and more particularly to machines for forming a wire into short lengths having a helical form with a relatively large pitch and small diameter.

Although the invention about to be described will be described in conjunction with its use for forming so-called wire splints, it will be apparent that it may be useful for other purposes, and I transmission line at the points at which it is supported from the poles or towers. Such a splint is shown in the Peterson .Patent No. 2,275,019.

There have been several different means suggested for forming the wires of these splints but nearly all have been subject to certain disadvantages which it is the purpose of the present invention to overcome.

'Among the disadvantages of the prior art devices for forming splints was the lack of uniformity of product; the high cost of manufacture; and the extreme slowness of production. Furthermore, it was difiicult to change machines for making wire of one pitch and diameter to that of another pitch and diameter.

By my present invention, I have made a machine which can turn out a uniform product at a high speed and which can quickly and easily be changed to provide the desired pitch and diameter.

Still other advantages of the invention, and the invention itself, will become more apparent from the following description of an embodiment '-thereof, which description is illustrated by the accompanying drawin s and form a part of the specification.

In thedrawings:

Fig. l is a side elevational view of a machine embodying my invention; with an alternative position of the cutoff mechanism shown in dashed.

lines;

Fig. 2 i a fragmentary plan view thereof;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged top plan view of the wire forming portion of my machine;

on a horizontal plane.

Fig. 4 is an elevational view thereof with a portion broken away and shown in section;

Fig. 5 is a front elevational view of the cutoff mechanism on an enlarged scale;

Fig. 6 is a side elevational view thereof, with certain parts broken away and shown in section;

Fig. 7 is a still further enlarged view of the cutoff head, certain parts being broken away and shown in section, and other parts shown by broken lines, and illustrating in dashed lines an alternative position which may be taken by the cutoff head;

Fig. 8 is a side elevational view of a cam track switch removed from the head;

Fig. 9 is a front elevational view thereof;

Fig. 10 is a side elevational view of a cutoff member removed from the head;

Fig. 11 is a front elevational view thereof;

Fig. 12 is an elevational View, similar to Fig. 5 of a modified form of the invention; and

Fig. 13 isa side elevational view thereof. 7

Generally, the machine of my invention in.- cludes a support for supporting a reel of wire which is to be made into splints, the Wire is first passed through a straightener, it then operates by its travel, a measuring device, after which it is passed through a forming head where it is formed to the desired shape and, subsequently, is

cut off in the desired lengths by a cutoff mechanism under control of the measuring device.

More specifically, the reel'of wire In is shown as being revolvably supported on a pedestal LI opposite the entering end of the machine.

The wire is pulled through the machine by feed rollers l2 driven by a sprocket l3 which is connected by a chain [4 through a transmission l5 to a motor I6. Although only one set of feed rollers is shown, it will be obvious that more than one set can be used if desirable.

The wire first passes through a guide 20 supported on the end ofa bed 2| and then between the rollers 22 and 23 of a straightener. The

straightener may be of any conventional form, that shown comprising a first set of staggered rollers 22 disposed with their axes on a vertical plane and the second set disposed with their axes The wire then passes around, being wrapped for a one convolution, a roller "25 which'is supported ,plate 21. The shaft 26 on the other side-6r the plate, as illustrated in the part broken away, is

'on a shaft 26 j'ourn-alled in a vertically extending provided with a spur gear 28 that meshes with another gear 29, also rotatably journalled on said plate." The gear 29 carries a cam-30which is adapted to contact once each revolution with the operating pin 3| of a switch 32.

Therefore, it will be seen that the switch is operated each time a certain amouint of wire is drawn over the roller 25.

The gears 28 and 29 are readily removable and may be replaced by gears of diiferent ratio to cause the switch to be operated according to desired lengths into which the wire is to be severed. The switch 32 is carried by an adjustable bracket not shown so that it may be moved to the proper position of contact for the cam 30 regardless of the size of the gear 29.

I also contemplate a roller such as 25 which may have a circumference equal to the length into which the wire is to be severed. In this case there would be no necessity for the gearing mentioned, and the cam could be carried directly by the roller or on the shaft which carries the roller.

The wire is, as previously stated, drawn through the straightening rolls and over the measuring rolls by the feed rolls l2 which are held in engagement with the wire on opposite sides.

It will be noted that since considerable force is required to pull the wire through the straightener, the wire intermediate the straightener and the feed roll is relatively taut, which thus assures that the measuring device will be held in close contact therewith and without slippage, which provides accurate measurement of the wire.

The feed rolls l2 may, if desired, be held in spring pressed engagement with the wire. In either event, the feed rolls pull the wire through the straightener and push it through the forming mechanism.

The forming head, as best shown in Figs. 3 and 4, comprises a housing 35, which may be of cylindrical form, having a pair of reduced end portions 36. These end portions are rotatably journalled in suitable bearings in supports 31 which supports rise in longitudinally spaced relation to each other from the bed 21. The housing is provided with a slot 58 which extends transversely through and longitudinally of the housing. The end portions 36 are each provided with axial bores 38 which open into the ends of the slot 38.

A plurality of adjustable supports which carry the forming rollers or wheels are provided, being disposed at spaced intervals in the slot 38, and adjustable as to position thereon. In the drawings, five such supports and rollers are shown, but it will be appreciated that the num- 'ber'may be varied as desired. Each of the supports includes a cylindrical body 48 adapted to have a close sliding fit in an opening Al in the wall of the body. A keyway 42 is provided into which a set screw 43 may extend to hold the same against rotation. The body is provided with a slot 44 and a grooved wheel or roller 45 is journalled in the slot on a pin 46 which extends through the walls of the body and the slot. The end of the body is provided with a threaded extension 41 which is in threaded engagement with a bushing 48 threadedly engaged in the wall of the body. The threads on the extension 41 and the bushing 48 may be left and right hand threads respectively or vice 'versa, and the bushing is provided with diametrically opposed slots 49 on its end adapted for engagement by a spanner wrench for adjustment of the same.

As can best be seen in Fig. 3, the rollers 45 are disposed so that their grooves extend at an angle to the axis of the body 35 and each succeeding roller extends at an opposite angle. That is, the rollers 45c, 45c, and 45e extend at the same angle, and 45b and 45d extend at an opposite angle. Furthermore, the rollers are adjustably displaced from the axis of the body 35. That is, as viewed in Fig. 4, the peripheries or the rollers opposite to the adjustable bushings and over which the wire I0 is trained, are alternately above and below the axis thereof. Rollers 45a, 45c and 45e, having their axis below the axis of the body 35 and the rollers 45b and 45d are above the axis. This determines the inside diameter of the helix and the spacing of the rollers as well as the angle of inclination determine the pitch of the henx.

Preferably, I have found an angle of inclination of the roller of approximately 13 degrees will provide a satisfactory operation. This angle may, however, be varied to provide the desired performance.

The wire is threaded through the forming head as best shown in Fig. 4, being pushed through the head by the feed rolls 1.2. The passage of the wire through the head causes it to revolve about its axis and the direction of revolution mainly determines whether the wire will be a left or right hand helix. In this respect, this is initially determined by rotating the head manually during the wire threading operation, in the proper direction to provide either a right or left hand lead to the helix. After .the wire is once threaded through the head and during the passage of the wire through .the head, the head will automatically revolve in .the correct direction to provide the desired lead.

The wire, after being formed, passes through a cutoff mechanism where it is severed into the desired lengths. The cutoff mechanism is controlled by the operation of the switch 32 which in turn is operated by .the measuring mechanism.

The cutoff mechanism includes a cutter which is arranged to travel for a short distance with the wire and to quickly sever the wire while the wire is moving.

The end of the bed 2| supports in spaced parallel relation a pair of upright members 50 of angular cross section that may be secured to the bed in any desired manner as by bolts 51. The upper ends of the members have secured thereto a pair of cam supporting plates 53 which extend from the uprights 50 in spaced parallel relation to each other. The plates are provided with base flanges 54, and are secured to the uprights by bolts 55. These plates have secured .on their opposing inner faces, by screws 56, cam plates 51, each of which is formed with a pear shaped recess 58, the wall of which constitutes a cam surface, and the purpose of which is to guide and operate a cutter blade, later described.

The plates 53 and 51 are formed with aligned apertures in which is journalled a cam switch member, .bestshown .in Figs. 8 and 9. The cam member includes a cylindrical body portion 60 which .is journalled in the apertures and has a cam track switch 6| which is disposed in the recess 58 and is held against the top wall or cam surface by .a .spring .63 that has one end secured to a lever 64 on the other end of the cam member and the other end fastened to the base 54. It will be observed that the spring 63 normally holds the switch 6| against the top of the cam surface, but that the switch may be moved against the tension of the spring 63 downward in the recess, the body 60 being free to revolve in the apertures.

The actual cutoff mechanism includes a cooperating cutter blade and die which are both carried by a pivoted upright support. The blade is operated by the cam surface upon pivotal movement of the support. The support is best shown in Figs. 5 and 6 and is substantially an inverted Y form, being provided with spaced apart legs 61, the lower ends of which are pivotally journalled on a rod 68 carried in supports 69 that may be integral with the leg 10 supporting the bed 2|. The legs 61 extend upward where they merge and form the upright portion 12 that extends upward between the plates 51, projecting beyond the upper end thereof. The upper extremity of the support is slotted at 13, and an eye 14 of an operating rod 15 is connected therein by a cross pin 16. The operating rod 15 is pivotally connected at 80 to the armature 8| of a solenoid magnet 82 which is carried on the upper end of an upright support 83 (Fig. 1).

The solenoid is adapted to be energized by a source of current, not shown, under control of the switch 32 to attract the armature into the solenoid and move the rod 15. Movement of the rod in the other direction is effected by a spring 84, one end of which is connected to an arm 85 extending from the bracket 59 and the other end of which is connected into a projection 86 on the eye 14.

The portion 12 of the cutter support is provided with a slot I85 extending through the sides of the support and in which is reciprocably journalled the cutter head. The cutter head includes a substantially rectangular body 86, that extends between the walls of the slots, and the upper end is provided with a cross pin 81, the ends of which extend beyond the slot into and are guided by the walls of the recesses 59. The edges of the body 86 extend flush with the sides of the member 12 and abut the plate 51 which prevents lateral movement thereof. The cutter blade 88 isset into a rectangular recess in the body 86 being held therein by screws 89 which extend through the plate and are threaded into the body. The lower edge of the blade is beveled at 99 to provide a sharp cutting edge 9! at its lower extremity.

The front side of the member 12 is provided with a rectangular opening 93 which extends into the slot I95. At the lower end of this opening, there is provided a wire guide and a cutter block which comprises a rectangular body 95 secured in the bottom of the recess by screws 96 and which is provided with a rearwardly extending guide 91 disposed in an opening through the rear wall of the recess. The guide 91 is provided with aflared opening 98 which connects with a cylindrical channel 99 that opens through the front side of the block 95. The cutter blade 88 is adapted to slide over the front face of the block 95 and cut off the wire which extends through the channel 99.

The operation of the cutoif mechanism is as follows:

The wire, after being formed in the forming head, passes through the flared opening 98 and the channel 99 in the cutoff block 95. After a predetermined length of wire has passed through the block, the switch 32 is operated to cause the solenoid 82 to be energized which moves the upper end of the support 12 from the position shown in full lines in Fig. '1, toward the position shown in the dashed line. The ends of the cross pin 81 on the cutter engage with the bottom surface of the cam lever 6| which thus forces the pin 81 and the block 86 downward as shown.

The blade passes over the channel 99 and severs the wire. Continued forward movement of the member 12 causes the cross pin ends 81 to enter into the upwardly curved portion of the cam which is defined by the wall 58 and the body of the lever BI, and by which the block 86 is moved upwards as indicated by the arrow X in Fig. 7. The upward movement of the block 86 may be assisted by a suitable spring if desired, but I have found that the inertia, during operation of the apparatus, is sufiicient to carry the cross .pin in its desired path.

The energization of the solenoid is only momentary, the duration being only suificient to afford a full stroke of the armature after which it is released and the spring 84 then pulls the support 12 backwards to its upright position. The cross pin after the downward stroke is quickly raised, withdrawing the cutter blade from in front of the channel 99 in the cutter block before the support starts on the backward travel. The cross pin 81 then travels backward in the recess 58 above the lever 6| which is pushed downward by the camming action of the in 81 between the upper surface of the channel 58 and the top of the levers Bl causing the lever to move downward until such a time as the cross pin travels beyond the cam 6|, after which the levers are snapped upward to the position shown, in Fig. '1 by .the spring 63. At this time the ends of the cross pin are in the apex of the cam recess 58 and held against upward or downward movement.

The pieces severed from the wire drop down and are collected in the pan H90.

It will thus be seen that wire is first drawn off of the reel, straightened in the straightener section by the rollers 2223, and measured by the roller 25, the pulling being effected by the rollers l2. It is then pushed through the forming head and through the cutoff mechanism. After a predetermined length of wire has passed through the forming head as measured by the measuring rolls and its accompanying mechanism, the cam 39 trips the switch 32 which causes the momentary energization of the solenoid to provide the cutoff action just described. The cut-off mechanism operates quickly, cutting the wire before it has-a chance to buckle. The forward motion of the cut-off mechanism with the wire also helps to prevent buckling of the wire.

I have found that with the arrangement shown, I can provide substantially equal lengths of wires and hold these lengths within a very small tolerance. If desired, the speed of the cut-off mechanism can also be controlled so as to insure exact synchro-nism of travel of the mechanism with the wire by connecting a dash pot to the solenoid. I have found, however, thatthe mechanism will operate satisfactorily and suficiently accurately to render this additional expedient unnecessary.

In the preceding description, I have shown how the length of the wire may be determined by the measuring rolls before formation into helical form. In Figs. 12 and 13, I have shown a mechanism wherein the length of the wire is determined after it has been formed into a helix. In this embodiment, the wire, after it passes through accuses the forming head, travels beyond the cut-off mechanism until the end engages a target. The target is moved by the wire and actuates a switch which controls the operation of the solenoid and hence the cut-off mechanism. It will be seen that this provides a quicker and simpler means of adjustment for determining the lengths of the wires being cut off since it does not require changing gears or measuring rolls.

More particularly, the wire passes through the cut-ofi mechanism and into a trough shaped guide III which guides the wire therethrough into contact with a target III. The target III is carried by a bracket H2 which is adjustably carried by the frame 83. The operation of the target is such that when the wire contacts it, it is caused to pivot at H3 and the end H4 actuates a switch I15. The actuation of this switch causes the solenoid to be energized, actuating the cut-off mechanism and cutting off the wire.

The guide member III} may comprise a series of troughs H8 supported in a circle about a shaft I28 and each adapted to guide the wire. The shaft is rotatably journalled in the frame 83 and a sub frame I2I. The guide assembly may be moved longitudinally on the shaft I29, the position thereof being determined by the lengths of the wires being severed. Preferably, it is positioned in close proximity to the target II I. The shape of the troughs may also vary. The shape shown being semi-cylindrical merely for simplicity of exposure of the invention. In practice, they could be U-shaped or V-shaped, or of any shape wherein the wire would be properly guided into contact with the target III. One preferred form would comprise a U shape with the walls thereof converging toward the target end.

The trough guides the wire to the target and when the wire is cut off, it drops into the trough which is revolved counterclockwise to dump the wire into a receptacle not shown.

Preferably, there are a multiplicity of troughs. In the drawings, I have shown six. It will be appreciated that the number may be varied within the wide range. It is desirable to rotate the trough member a fraction of a revolution at each cut-off so as to provide an empty trough for each succeeding lengths of wire. This movement is also preferably effected on the backward stroke of the cut-off member 72.

In order to effect this rotation, I provide a spur gear I25 on the shaft I216 which meshes with a larger spur gear I26 carried on a short shaft I21 journalled in the frame IZI. The ratio between the two gears may be 2 to I. Also secured to the shaft I2? is a ratchet gear I28 which is disposed on the other end of the shaft I2! on the left side of the support I2I.

A stationary pawl I38 engages with the ratchet to prevent it from turning in the wrong direction and a ratchet pawl is used, connected by a linkage to the frame I2 to cause the step by step movement of the gear I26.

Rotatably journalled on the shaft I2! is a lever I32 which is held on the shaft by a key I33. This bracket carries a pawl I35 disposed in engagement with the teeth of the ratchet. The end of the bracket I32 is provided with a pin I36, which is engaged in a fork I37 of a lever I38. The lever I38 is carried on the end of a rod I40, which rod is rotatably journalled in a bracket I4I on the frame I2I. The other end of the rod carries a lever I42 which is connected by a link M3 to the frame member 12 of the cut-off mechanism.

In operation, when the member 12 is urged forward by the solenoid 82, the wire is cut off and drops into one of the troughs III). The forward movement of the member I2 rotates the lever I42 and shaft I40 counterclockwise, raising the forked end of the lever I38 and with it the pawl support and pawl. When the spring 84 pulls the member I2 back to its upright position, by a reversal of movement, the pawl I34 is moved downward to rotate the ratchet wheel one tooth. This movement is communicated to the gear I26 which rotates the gear I25 and hence the trough member is rotated, in this case, one sixth of a revolution each time a piece of wire is cut off. Eventually, the trough reaches a lower position where the wire is dumped out.

In this manner, a clear trough is provided for each succeeding piece of wire.

It will be appreciated that with this apparatus, the length of the wire being out can be quickly, easily and accurately determined by the position of the target III. This makes it possible to out the wire into any length desired merely by the positioning of the target. It will be appreciated that the end of the trough member should be close to the target and that the target should be large enough to be engaged by the end of the piece of wire. In this respect, narrowing the sides of the trough at the target end increases the accuracy of the measurement.

It will also be clear that many changes can be made in the exact mechanism other than that shown. For instance, ratchet and pawl mechanism for rotating the trough member is capable of assuming a great variety of forms, the form shown being for the purpose of explaining the invention.

Having thus described my invention, I am aware that numerous and extensive departures may be made therefrom without departing from the spirit or scope of my invention which is defined in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A cutoff means for severing a moving wire including a support, guide means for guiding said wire through the support, a pair of cam plates formed with cam tracks carried by the support, a member movable between said cam plates, a cutoff carried by said movable member and having means extending into said cam tracks, said cutoff being movable by said cam tracks to cut off said wire when the member moves between the cam plates.

2. A cutoff means for severing a moving wire including a support, guide means on said support for guiding the wire through the support, a cutoff means disposed adjacent said support and guide means and movable toward and away from the guide means, a pair of cam plates carried by said support on opposite sides of said cutoif means, said cutoff means including a die and a cutter blade, said cutter blade having portions extending into guiding contact with said cam plates, means to move said cutoff means toward and away from said guide means and said cam plates operating said blade to cut off the wire as the cutoff is moved away from said guide means.

3. A cutoff mechanism including cutoff means for severing a moving wire comprising a support, guide means for guiding said wire through the support, a cutoff support movable toward and away from said guide means, a cutoif carried by said support and comprising a cutoff die and a cutoff blade, said blade movable across said die,

4. A cutofi mechanism including cutoff means 2 for severing a moving wire comprising a fixed support, guide means for guiding said wire through the support, a cutoff support pivotally disposed for movement toward and away from said guide means, a cutofi carried by said mov- 15 able support and comprising a cutofi die and a cutofi blade, means to guide said blade for movement across said die to sever the wire, cam means carried by said fixed support on opposite sides of the movable support and formed with a cam track each including upper and lower connected runs, cam track engaging means on said cutofi blade extending into said cam tracks, spring operated switches carried by said cam plates for controlling and switching said track engaging means from the upper runs to the lower runs and means to move said cutofi support toward and away from said guide means.

5. A cutoff means for securing a moving wire comprising a fixed support, guide means on said support for guiding the wire through the support, a cutoff die support disposed adjacent said support and guide means and movable toward and away from the guide means, a pair of cam plates carried by said fixed support on opposite sides of said cutoif means, said cutoff support being formed with longitudinally extending guide ways, said cutofi means including a die fixedly carried by the cutoff support and a cutter blade reciprocably disposed in said guideways, said cutter blade having portions extending through said guideways beyond the edge of the movable 10 support into guiding contact with said camplates, means to move said cutofi supporttoward and away from said guide means, and said cam plates cooperating with said blade to reciprocate the blade on relative movement of the supports to cut oil the wire as the cutofi is moved away from said guide means.

EDWARD H. SCHANE.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record'in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 492,574 Dayton Feb. 28, 1893 507,101 Boggs Oct. 24, 1893 730,549 Mallet June9, 1903 1,048,141 Fetherofi Dec. '24, 1912 1,262,120 Smurr Apr. 9, 1918 1,265,345 Rock May 7, 1918 1,283,336 Shuster Oct. 29, 1918 1,288,402 Gale Dec. 17, 1918 1,703,885 Hutchinson Mar."'5, 1929 1,836,712 Hallden Dec. 15, 1931 1,892,834 Groshost Jan. 3, 1933 1,923,751 Schrier et a1 Aug. 22, 1933 1,936,679 Leech Nov. 28, 1933 2,084,746 Roberts June 22, 1937 2,084,967 Babb June 22, 1937 2,101,860 Lewis et a1 Dec. 14, 1937 2,160,999 Yoder June 6, 1939 2,188,406 Horton Jan. 30, 1940 2,188,407 Horton Jan. 30, 1940 2,213,650 Grimshaw Sept. 3, 1940 2,227,602 Platt Jan. 7, 1941 2,251,312 Yoder Aug. 5, 1941 2,317,530 Holmes et a1. Apr. 27, 1943 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 842,799 France Mar. 13, 1939 

